FAQ

How much does it cost?
About $35. I'll give you a list of the parts and where to get them, then show you how to make it.

Aren't people going to notice it?
Poker Buddy is designed to be carried in your pocket, and runs on batteries.  The switches can be installed remotely (like in your shoes), so the only thing exposed will be your headphones. 

How's it work?
Poker Buddy is designed for Texas Holdem - as each card is dealt, you enter it with the two small switches.  At every stage of the game (Pre-flop, flop, turn, and river) the probability that you have the winning hand is calculated and the results are read to you over headphones. 

How do you enter cards?
First, you enter the number of other players.  each tap on the left button adds a player, then tapping on the right button locks in the number. 

Then, you enter the cards rank - each tap on the left button increases the rank from 2 to Ace.  The right button locks in the selection.  Finally, you enter the suit;  1 tap = club, 2 taps = diamonds, 3 = hearts, and 4 = spades. 

The odds will be calculated, and read to you.   After the flop, it waits for you to enter the three flop cards, then re-calculates the odds.  Same deal with the turn and river. 

How are the odds calculated?
Given the data you've provided Poker Buddy, it simulates 1,000 hands of poker and adds up how many times you would have won.  The advantage of this approach is that probabilities can be generated even with very little information.  The simulations run in multiple cores to complete quickly, as well. 

Can I change X?
Of course - the code and circuit are open source, so you're free to modify / change / tweak as you see fit. I'll give you a brief tour of the sourcecode, too.  If you want to jump ahead, here's the sourcecode.

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to use a touchscreen to:

• Display true-color images
• Create a dynamic user interface
• Show data with gauges and dials
• Use touchscreen input in your project

Continue and I'll show you a few demonstration projects to get you thinking, then I'll show you the parts you'll need and how to include a touchscreen with your project.

Here's a little demo;

Here's a demo;

Rudolph uses a Propeller Platform USB to log into the email server, trigger animations, and generate the speech.  An E-Net module handles the Internet connection.  First, I'll answer a few questions, then I'll show you how I built it, and I'll give you a few ideas on how to customize it for your own projects.

R/C Animator lets you add sounds and lighting to your R/C car, airplane, helicopter, or boat. Effects are triggered with your R/C controller and can be combined.  Here's a demo;

Here's a little demo of Toilet Buddy in action.

Toilet Buddy was inspired by Japanese toilets that play a 'Courtesy Flush' sound instead of actually flushing in order to save water. It also improves on the idea by reminding you to put the seat down and when you left the lights on.

First, I'll go over the design and show you how to make it. Then, I'll show you how Toilet Buddy can be adapted to projects that could use event-driven audio playback.

Here's a video of our newest project;

The Video Fireplace connects to your TV, re-creating a warm, inviting fire that you can stoke and add wood to.